The world is divided into two kinds of people: Cristiano Ronaldo fans and Lionel Messi fans.
It’s difficult to convince each set of fans about the superiority of the other. Virtual mini-riots between Ronaldo and Messi fans on social media over the debate are a commonplace.
Apart from the diehard fans, several experts including former and current footballers have had their say on the raging debate. Now, another footballing legend, who many would argue dwarfs both the Portuguese and the Argentine together with what he has achieved during a glittering career, has entered the fray.
Brazilian great Pele has a crystal-clear opinion on whom he considers the best ever – Lionel Messi.
Pele ambles into the room with the assistance of a walking stick, but while his body lacks the sharpness of his peak, the great Brazilian’s mind is as keen as ever.
The operation he had in December to repair his replacement hip has slowed him to a steady walk and those famous overhead kicks and dazzling tricks are a thing of the past, but Pele still gets excitement from talking about football’s greats.
He is quick to assert that Cristiano Ronaldo is the No 1 player in the world, yet he can also reel off 10 names in as many seconds who competed for that title in the past and is saddened that the debate these days is only between the Portuguese and Lionel Messi, and has been for some years.
Pele counts on his fingers as he goes. ‘George Best, Bobby Moore, Jairzinho, Bobby Charlton, Pele, Zico, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Zidane, Maradona. Now you say Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi — Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. It’s not too good for football.
‘At the moment the best player in the world is Ronaldo. I admire him, if I had to set up a national team he would be my first pick. But in the meantime I feel sorry because today and the last five years, you just mention two big stars. Some years ago, you had a lot of players.’
“Cristiano Ronaldo is a great goalscorer, but Messi is the best,” Pele has said, according to a report in Sport.
Ronaldo reminds Pele of Ronaldo — the Brazilian one. The one who terrified defenders with his pace and aggression and relentless pursuit of goals. In the modern age, everyone is obsessed with comparison.
Who is better than whom? Yet, for a brilliant football mind such as Pele, it is more complex. He cannot compare himself or Diego Maradona with Cristiano Ronaldo due to the difference in era, but more importantly their different roles.
Without Messi, Ronaldo would have dominated world football for almost a decade. And vice versa. They have shared the World Player of the Year title in its various forms for eight years, since Kaka won in 2007.
Ronaldo is 31 and Messi 28, and their days at the top are numbered. Gareth Bale, 26, and Neymar, 24, may rise in their place but, for Pele, there is still something missing.
‘Ronaldo has to have some luck with him,’ Pele adds. ‘It doesn’t depend on him to win important tournaments and to be champions. He has time — maybe the next World Cup he could be there. No doubt.’
Ronaldo will be 33 then and a few years closer — perhaps one day — to ambling into a room with a walking stick and talking about the great players of tomorrow.
Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi… but there is a lack of legends playing today, laments Brazil star Pele
- Pele is quick to assert that Cristiano Ronaldo is the No 1 player in the world
- Brazil icon says debate is only between the Portuguese and Lionel Messi
- 75-year-old believes lack of competition for the crown is sad for football
- Pele names Bale and Neymar but says the modern game needs more stars
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